Years active 1974–2011 Name Berlinda Tolbert | Role Actress Spouse Bob Reid (m. 1979) | |
 | ||
Occupation Television, film actress Marriage location Providence, Rhode Island, United States Movies and TV shows Similar People Mike Evans, Zara Cully, Damon Evans, Franklin Cover, Paul Benedict | ||
HONORING NORMAN LEAR: TRIBUTE BERLINDA TOLBERT- MARLA GIBBS
Berlinda Tolbert (born November 4, 1949) is an American film and television actress. Tolbert is best known for her role as Jenny Willis Jefferson, the daughter of Tom and Helen Willis on the CBS sitcom The Jeffersons, which originally aired from 1975 until 1985.
Contents
- HONORING NORMAN LEAR TRIBUTE BERLINDA TOLBERT MARLA GIBBS
- Berlinda Tolbert
- Early life and education
- Career
- The Jeffersons
- Later career
- Personal life
- Filmography
- References
Berlinda Tolbert
Early life and education
Tolbert majored in theater at the North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston-Salem. She also studied drama in London.
Career
In a 2013 interview, Tolbert stated, "I’ve only had one job in my entire life… professional actress." She got her first film part from Martin Scorsese in the early 1970s, when she was in acting school.
The Jeffersons
On The Jeffersons, Tolbert played Jenny, the daughter of interracial couple Tom and Helen Willis, friends of George and Louise Jefferson. During the series, Jenny became engaged to Lionel Jefferson, the son of George and Louise; they married and had a daughter. Tolbert played the role of Jenny for the run of the series, from 1975-1985. Tolbert was born just one day after Mike Evans (1949–2006), the original actor who played her boyfriend/husband Lionel. They were also both born in North Carolina. As of December 2016, Tolbert, Marla Gibbs, Jay Hammer and Damon Evans (Lionel #2) are the last surviving members of The Jeffersons main cast.
Later career
In 1981, Tolbert competed for the CBS team on Battle of the Network Stars. In 1983, Tolbert starred in the Maya Angelou play On A Southern Journey. Following the cancellation of The Jeffersons in 1985, Tolbert appeared in films including Harlem Nights, Goodfellas, and Patriot Games, and television shows including ER, Six Feet Under, and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. Tolbert appeared in the 2011 indie film Last Ride on the Midwest Pacific.
Personal life
Tolbert married journalist Bob Reid in 1979.
Filmography
Actress
2013
Just Another Man's Story (Short) as
Robert's Ex-Wife
2011
Last Ride on the Midwest Pacific as
Angeline
2007
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (TV Series) as
Barbara
- Leapin' Lizards (2007) - Barbara
2007
Live! as
Clarissa Boyd
2005
Six Feet Under (TV Series) as
Debra
- Time Flies (2005) - Debra
2004
Strange Fruit as
Emma Ayers
2004
Strong Medicine (TV Series)
- Cinderella in Scrubs (2004)
2004
ER (TV Series) as
Nancy Natarelli
- Blood Relations (2004) - Nancy Natarelli
2003
Half & Half (TV Series) as
Denise
- The Big Forbidden Fruit Episode (2003) - Denise
2001
Dead Last (TV Series) as
Yolanda
- The Problem with Corruption (2001) - Yolanda
2000
After Diff'rent Strokes: When the Laughter Stopped (TV Movie) as
Gary Coleman's Mother
1999
Home Improvement (TV Series) as
Noreen
- The Long and Winding Road: Part 3 (1999) - Noreen
- The Long and Winding Road: Part 1 (1999) - Noreen
1999
Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction (TV Series) as
Mrs. Latham (segment "Screwdriver")
- The Handyman/Anatole/Makeup Magic/Screwdriver/Charlie (1999) - Mrs. Latham (segment "Screwdriver")
1998
The Army Show (TV Series) as
Phyliss Henchy / Phyllis Henchy
- Have I Got a Deal for You (1998) - Phyliss Henchy
- The Military Ball (1998) - Phyllis Henchy
1998
7th Heaven (TV Series) as
Ms. Hanover
- It Takes Two, Baby (1998) - Ms. Hanover
1997
Sabrina the Teenage Witch (TV Series) as
Mrs. Hecht
- The Crucible (1997) - Mrs. Hecht
1994
Dangerous Touch as
Sasha Taylor
1993
Dream On (TV Series) as
Sue
- A Midsummer Night's Dream On (1993) - Sue
1993
FBI: The Untold Stories (TV Series documentary) as
Mary Smith
- Mary (1993) - Mary Smith
1992
Patriot Games as
Sissy
1990
Jake and the Fatman (TV Series) as
Sharon Lee
- Goodbye (1990) - Sharon Lee
1990
Gabriel's Fire (TV Series) as
Shelly
- To Catch a Con: Part 2 (1990) - Shelly
1990
Goodfellas as
Stacks' Girlfriend
1989
A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court (TV Movie) as
Karen's Mother
1989
Harlem Nights as
Annie
1989
Beverly Hills Brats as
TV Reporter
1987
Amen (TV Series) as
Darlene
- Thelma's Reunion (1987) - Darlene
1985
Hotel (TV Series) as
Michelle Todd
- Resolutions (1985) - Michelle Todd
1985
International Airport (TV Movie) as
Kathy Henderson
1975
The Jeffersons (TV Series) as
Jenny Willis Jefferson / Jenny Willis
- Sayonara: Part 2 (1985) - Jenny Willis Jefferson
- Sayonara: Part 1 (1985) - Jenny Willis Jefferson
- The Wheel of Forever (1983) - Jenny Willis Jefferson
- Designing Woman (1983) - Jenny Willis Jefferson
- Change of a Dollar (1983) - Jenny Willis Jefferson
- Bodyguards Are People Too (1983) - Jenny Willis Jefferson
- Laundry Is a Tough Town: Part 2 (1982) - Jenny Willis Jefferson
- Do Not Forsake Me, Oh, My Helen (1982) - Jenny Willis Jefferson
- Guess Who's Not Coming to Dinner? (1982) - Jenny Willis Jefferson
- A Case of Self-Defense (1982) - Jenny Willis Jefferson
- Men of the Cloth (1982) - Jenny Willis Jefferson
- Blazing Jeffersons (1982) - Jenny Willis Jefferson
- I've Got a Secret (1981) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- Louise's Father (1981) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- The Separation: Part 2 (1981) - Jenny Willis Jefferson
- The Separation: Part 1 (1981) - Jenny Willis Jefferson
- Florence's New Job: Part 2 (1981) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- Florence's New Job: Part 1 (1981) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- Not So Dearly Beloved (1981) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- My Hero (1981) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- Sorry, Wrong Meeting (1981) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- And the Doorknobs Shined Like Diamonds (1981) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- Alley Oops (1981) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- God Bless Americans (1981) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- As Florence Turns (1981) - Jenny Willis Jefferson
- Calendar Girl (1981) - Jenny Willis Jefferson
- All I Want for Christmas (1980) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- Florence's Cousin (1980) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- Put It On (1980) - Jenny Willis Jefferson
- The Jeffersons Go to Hawaii: Part 4 (1980) - Jenny Willis Jefferson
- The Jeffersons Go to Hawaii: Part 3 (1980) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- The Jeffersons Go to Hawaii: Part 2 (1980) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- The Jeffersons Go to Hawaii: Part 1 (1980) - Jenny Willis Jefferson
- Marathon Men (1980) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- Once Upon a Time (1980) - Jenny Willis Jefferson
- The First Store (1980) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- Louise Takes a Stand (1980) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- The Loan (1980) - Jenny Willis Jefferson
- A Night to Remember (1980) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- George's Birthday (1980) - Jenny Willis Jefferson
- The Longest Day (1980) - Jenny Willis Jefferson
- The Shower (1980) - Jenny Willis Jefferson
- The Arrival: Part 2 (1980) - Jenny Willis Jefferson
- The Arrival: Part 1 (1980) - Jenny Willis Jefferson
- Brother Tom (1980) - Jenny Willis Jefferson
- Louise's Setback (1980) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- One Flew Into the Cuckoo's Nest (1980) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- Me and Mr. G (1979) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- Louise vs. Florence (1979) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- Baby Love (1979) - Jenny Willis Jefferson
- Joltin' George (1979) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- The Expectant Father (1979) - Jenny Willis Jefferson
- Where's Papa? (1979) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- Now You See It, Now You Don't: Part 2 (1979) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- Now You See It, Now You Don't: Part 1 (1979) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- Louise's Old Boyfriend (1979) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- A Short Story (1979) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- The Announcement (1979) - Jenny Willis Jefferson
- The Freeze In (1979) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- Louise's Convention (1979) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- Three Faces of Florence (1979) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- Every Night Fever (1979) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- The Ones You Love (1979) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- The Hold Out (1979) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- The Other Woman (1979) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- Louise's Award (1979) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- Florence Meets Mr. Right (1979) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- A Bedtime Story (1979) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- Louise's Reunion (1979) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- Louise's Sister (1979) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- George Finds a Father (1978) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- Harry's House Guest (1978) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- George, Who? (1978) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- What Are Friends For? (1978) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- Half a Brother (1978) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- Me and Billy Dee (1978) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- George's New Stockbroker (1978) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- George's Dream (1978) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- How Slowly They Forget (1978) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- Homecoming: Part 2 (1978) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- Homecoming: Part 1 (1978) - Jenny Willis Jefferson
- Louise's Painting (1978) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- Jenny's Thesis (1978) - Jenny Willis Jefferson
- George and Louise in a Bind: Part 1 (1978) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- Uncle George and Aunt Louise (1978) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- Thomas H. Willis & Co. (1978) - Jenny Willis Jefferson
- George and Jimmy (1978) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- Florence's Union (1978) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- The Blackout (1978) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- Lionel Gets the Business (1978) - Jenny Willis Jefferson
- George and Whitty (1978) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- 984 W. 124th Street, Apt. 5C (1977) - Jenny Willis Jefferson
- The Jefferson Curve (1977) - Jenny Willis Jefferson
- George Needs Help (1977) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- Florence Gets Lucky (1977) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- The Costume Party (1977) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- Louise's New Interest (1977) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- The Last Leaf (1977) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- The Camp Out (1977) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- The Visitors (1977) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- Good News, Bad News (1977) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- George's Legacy (1977) - Jenny Willis Jefferson
- George's Help (1977) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- Once a Friend (1977) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- The Grand Opening: Part 2 (1977) - Jenny Willis Jefferson
- The Grand Opening: Part 1 (1977) - Jenny Willis Jefferson
- Louise's Physical (1977) - Jenny Willis Jefferson
- George the Philanthropist (1977) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- Jenny's Opportunity (1977) - Jenny Willis Jefferson
- The Old Flame (1977) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- Louise's Friend (1977) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- The Marriage Counselors (1977) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- Louise vs. Jenny (1977) - Jenny Willis Jefferson
- A Case of Black and White (1977) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- George's Guilt (1977) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- Jefferson Airplane (1977) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- Bentley's Problem (1977) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- Louise Forgets (1977) - Jenny Willis Jefferson (credit only)
- The Christmas Wedding (1976) - Jenny Willis Jefferson
- Florence in Love (1976) - Jenny Willis (credit only)
- The Agreement (1976) - Jenny Willis
- Jenny's Discovery (1976) - Jenny Willis
- Tom the Hero (1976) - Jenny Willis (credit only)
- Lionel's Pad (1976) - Jenny Willis
- The Retirement Party (1976) - Jenny Willis (credit only)
- George's Diploma (1976) - Jenny Willis (credit only)
- The Lie Detector (1976) - Jenny Willis
- Louise Suspects (1976) - Jenny Willis
- Louise Gets Her Way (1976) - Jenny Willis (credit only)
- George and the President (1976) - Jenny Willis
- The Wedding (1976) - Jenny Willis
- Tennis Anyone? (1976) - Jenny Willis (credit only)
- Lionel's Problem (1976) - Jenny Willis
- George Meets Whittendale (1976) - Jenny Willis (credit only)
- Louise's Cookbook (1976) - Jenny Willis (credit only)
- Mother Jefferson's Birthday (1976) - Jenny Willis (credit only)
- Florence's Problem (1976) - Jenny Willis (credit only)
- The Breakup: Part 2 (1976) - Jenny Willis
- The Breakup: Part 1 (1976) - Jenny Willis
- George vs. Wall Street (1975) - Jenny Willis
- Lunch with Mama (1975) - Jenny Willis (credit only)
- George's Alibi (1975) - Jenny Willis
- George and the Manager (1975) - Jenny Willis
- George's Best Friend (1975) - Jenny Willis (credit only)
- Jenny's Grandparents (1975) - Jenny Willis
- George Won't Talk (1975) - Jenny Willis (credit only)
- Movin' on Down (1975) - Jenny Willis (credit only)
- Uncle Bertram (1975) - Jenny Willis
- Jefferson vs. Jefferson (1975) - Jenny Willis (credit only)
- Mother Jefferson's Fall (1975) - Jenny Willis
- Harry and Daphne (1975) - Jenny Willis (credit only)
- Louise's Daughter (1975) - Jenny Willis (credit only)
- George's First Vacation (1975) - Jenny Willis (credit only)
- A Dinner for Harry (1975) - Jenny Willis
- Jenny's Low (1975) - Jenny Willis
- Like Father, Like Son? (1975) - Jenny Willis
- Former Neighbors (1975) - Jenny Willis (credit only)
- Rich Man's Disease (1975) - Jenny Willis (credit only)
- Meet the Press (1975) - Jenny Willis (credit only)
- Mother Jefferson's Boyfriend (1975) - Jenny Willis (credit only)
- Lionel Cries Uncle (1975) - Jenny Willis (credit only)
- George's Skeleton (1975) - Jenny Willis (credit only)
- Mr. Piano Man (1975) - Jenny Willis
- Lionel the Playboy (1975) - Jenny Willis
- George's Family Tree (1975) - Jenny Willis (credit only)
- A Friend in Need (1975) - Jenny Willis
1981
The Love Boat (TV Series) as
Lynda Miles / Patty Phelps
- Instinct/Unmade for Each Other/BOS (1985) - Lynda Miles
- Love, Honor and Obey/Gladys and Agnes/Radioactive Isaac (1981) - Patty Phelps
1984
Airwolf (TV Series) as
Lea Logana
- And They Are Us (1984) - Lea Logana
1981
Fantasy Island (TV Series) as
Sandy Hoffman / Linda Bell / Billie Joe
- Games People Play/The Sweet Life (1984) - Sandy Hoffman
- Return to the Cotton Club/No Friends Like Old Friends (1983) - Linda Bell
- Basin Street/The Devil's Triangle (1981) - Billie Joe
1983
Matt Houston (TV Series) as
Janey Lennox
- The Rock and the Hard Place (1983) - Janey Lennox
1975
Police Woman (TV Series) as
Lily Thomas
- The Chasers (1975) - Lily Thomas
1975
S.W.A.T. (TV Series) as
Joanne Wyatt
- Death Score (1975) - Joanne Wyatt
1975
Mannix (TV Series) as
Jobina Rogell
- Chance Meeting (1975) - Jobina Rogell
1975
All in the Family (TV Series) as
Jenny Willis
- The Jeffersons Move on Up (1975) - Jenny Willis
1974
The Streets of San Francisco (TV Series) as
Chris Jackson
- For Good or Evil (1974) - Chris Jackson
1974
Sanford and Son (TV Series) as
Delores
- Sanford and Niece (1974) - Delores
1974
Airport 1975 as
Passenger (uncredited)
1974
That's My Mama (TV Series) as
Polly Carstairs
- Clifton's Dubious Romance (1974) - Polly Carstairs
Self
2017
Unsung Hollywood (TV Series documentary) as
Self
- The Jeffersons (2017) - Self
2006
Living in TV Land (TV Series documentary) as
Self
- Sherman Hemsley (2006) - Self
1982
Tattletales (TV Series) as
Self
- Ray Buktenica & Karen Salkin, Jamie & Joy Farr, Berlinda Tolbert & Bob Reid - day 2 (1982) - Self
- Ray Buktenica & Karen Salkin, Jamie & Joy Farr, Berlinda Tolbert & Bob Reid (1982) - Self
1981
Battle of the Network Stars XI (TV Special) as
Self - CBS Team
Archive Footage
1978
The Jeffersons (TV Series) as
Jenny Willis Jefferson
- George and Louise in a Bind: Part 3 (1978) - Jenny Willis Jefferson
- George and Louise in a Bind: Part 2 (1978) - Jenny Willis Jefferson
References
Berlinda Tolbert Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA